RAJBANSHI PRIDE

Significance of 28 th August, 1949 [Excerpts from ‘Koch Rajbanshi Kamtapuri – The Truth Unveiled’ written by Self (Capt. Nalini Ranjan Ray)]   During the Freedom struggle, Rajbanshis of North Bengal or Koch Rajbanshis Assam took part in all activities under the banner of Indian National Congress. Even the Koch-Rajbanshis of the princely State of Cooch Behar unconditionally (and) actively supported the Congress party in pursuance of freedom. Numerous Koch or Rajbanshi people courted arrest during different stages of the freedom struggle. Most of these people had a blind faith on the Congress Party that spearheaded the freedom struggle. Indian Independence Act, at last was passed in British Parliament on 18 th July 1947 and India became a free nation on 15 th August 1947. The kingdom of Cooch Behar, which was reduced to a much smaller in size, by a document (Agreement) signed by Maharaja Jagaddipendra Narayan (with the Dominion of India) , ceded it to the Dominion of India on 28 t

Introduction In an epochal sense, Rajbanshis played a big role in Indian society during mythological period for which testimonies galore in Indian old scriptures; ancient history which was glorious having no doubt about it; medieval period that made entire northeastern oriental states were made to unify with mainland India by ancestors of Koch Rajbanshis; and then, significant contributions by number of oriental/ princely states and fiefdoms the known modern history. Then, of course, their downfall started towards the end of the reign of Koch kings at Cooch Behar which culminated with the merger of the princely state with the dominion of free India in 1949 and downfall has been continuing even today. History of a large Indian human stream, the Rajbanshi group of communities is hardly taught in schools, colleges – why that’s the million-dollar question in Indian polity today. However, as I perceive, while Indian democracy is maturing today in India and political gimmicks are at thei

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (No.47 of 2019) that received the assent of the President of India on the 12 th December, 2019, came into force on the 10 th January, 2020 vide Govt. of India, Ministry of Home Affairs Notification S.O. No.172(E), dated the 10 th January, 2020. This is an Act further to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 which elaborates in details on Short Title, Interpretation of the legal Terms, Methods for Acquisition of Citizenship, Termination of Citizenship, Deprivation of Citizenship, Supplemental Clauses including Power to make rules and Qualifications for Naturalisation. 2. Major Amendments Made: (a) In the ‘Interpretation’, while describing about “illegal migrant” a proviso has been added - meaning a foreigner who has entered into India with a valid passport or other travel document or authority as may be prescribed by or under any law in that behalf but remains therein beyond the permitted period of time “Provided that any person belong